Milligan to add competitive fly fishing

MILLIGAN COLLEGE — Milligan College Vice President for Athletics and Student Development Mark Fox announced Monday the addition of a competitive fly fishing team beginning fall 2020.

“Milligan is located in the heart of one of the best fly fishing destinations,” said Fox. “We look forward to offering students the opportunity to gain skills and compete, enjoy the outdoors, and be active in local conservation efforts.”

Northeast Tennessee’s rivers and lakes are home to world-renowned fisheries that attract fly fishers from around the globe. The South Holston River contains an average of 8,500 trout per mile, and the Watauga River, located a few miles from campus, includes one of Tennessee’s only designated trophy sections for fly fishing.

The competitive fly fishing team will compete in regional and national competitions and will be active with the local Trout Unlimited Overmountain chapter for preservation and cleanup efforts. Milligan will be the first college to offer scholarships for fly fishing to incoming students.

With 20 years of fly fishing experience, Zack Nave will serve as team director, as well as continue oversight of Milligan’s fly fishing student club. Nave also serves as Milligan’s head cycling and triathlon coach and has led the cycling teams to four team national titles, three individual national champions, 15 team conference championship titles and 25 individual conference champions over the past eight years.

“I have enjoyed fly fishing on the Watauga River and South Holston River for many years, and I am excited to share this passion with a team,” said Nave. “Fly fishing requires patience, skill, and the ability to adapt to the fish and river conditions. I look forward to showing students all that our region has to offer while preparing for competitions.”

For more information, call 800-262-8337 or email the admissions office at admissions@milligan.edu.

SportsPlus

Local news

Former David Crockett High School football, wrestling booster club president indicted

Local news

Carter County School Board honors teachers at January meeting

Community

Fish and Chicken Fry Feb. 1 at Boozy Creek

Local news

Cat Island Softball Fields restoration project set to begin

Local news

Rep. Harshbarger reintroduces American Music Tourism Act

Community

Senior Center Schedule

Local news

Milligan’s Family Weekend scheduled Jan. 31-Feb. 2

Local news

The tale of the traveling tags: A Flea Market Mystery

Community

Democratic Women will meet Tuesday

Community

East Side Elementary releases second nine weeks honor roll

Local news

Residents share disappointment, petition ouster of county mayor

Community

Sycamore Shoals State Park events scheduled for February

Church News

Church Briefs

Community

Kiwanis Club will hold Pancake Breakfast this spring instead of fall

Local news

Want a bigger slice of the economic pie, pay attention to real estate

Local news

TVA sets new all time power demand record

Community

Bonnie Kate Theater will present 1940s Radio Show Valentine weekend

Local news

Local students make ETSU fall 2024 Dean’s List

Local news

Potential Medicaid cuts threaten rural hospitals and Tennesseans

Local news

Ballad Health lifts mask mandate, visitation restrictions

Church News

What does it mean to be spiritually blind?

Local news

Introducing Rotary International’s Interact Club: A Rotary-sponsored service club for young people ages 12-18

News

Two students dead, one injured after shooting at Nashville high school

Local news

Johnson City Fire Department launches hands-only CPR training courses